CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND LOGISTICS FLUID MECHANICS - ENG 243 LABORATORY EXPERIMENT Losses in a Small Diameter Pipe System
Lecturer: Jim Mitroy Students Name: Date of Practical: Due Date: Name of Group Members: _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________

Declaration I declare that the work contained in this report is my own work, and that it has not been copied from another persons work:

Signed: __________________________________

Aim This experiment is to determine energy losses sustained by water flowing through a piped system that contains bends, sudden contractions, sudden expansions, a valve and a long length of pipe.

Introduction Flow through a pipeline is always accompanied by an energy loss in the liquid. We often express this in the form of a pressure head loss. The magnitude of pressure head loss is dependant upon: The flow velocity The length to diameter ratio of the pipe work, and the Surface roughness of the pipes

Pressure head losses also occur in fluids flowing through bends and valves. For contractions and expansions in pipelines, energy loss will always occur, although the pressure head is seen to increase in the case of expansions.

Apparatus In this case we have two separate networks namely a blue circuit and a red circuit. Here it is required to examine the differing pipe diameters and fittings to determine the losses incurred, the theoretical/given K factors versus practical results of K, and friction factor f.

The Blue circuit consists of: a gate valve a standard elbow bend a 90 degree mitre bend, and a straight pipe

The Red circuit consists of: a Globe valve a sudden expansion a sudden contraction a 150mm radius 90 degree bend a 100mm radius 90 degree bend and a 50mm radius 90 degree bend

In all cases (except the gate and globe valves) the pressure change across each of the components is measured by a pair of pressurised piezometer tubes. In the case of the valves, U tubes containing mercury are used to measure the pressure difference.

Theory For an incompressible fluid flowing through a pipe the following equations apply: Steady Flow 1 D Continuity M i = M o The Darcy head loss equation h l = f l V2 d 2g

1 1 The loss in a sudden expansion h l = 2

The loss at a sudden contraction h l =

V12 2g
where K is a

V22
2g

dimensionless coefficient that depends on the area ratio given in Table 1 Table 1 Energy Loss in a Sudden Contraction A2/A1 K 0 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.45 0.5 0.3 0.7 0.2 0.9 0.08 1.0 0

The energy loss in bend is also given in the form h l =

, where 2g the loss coefficient depends upon the bend radius and pipe radius and the angle of the bend, see Figure 1

V 2

The head loss due to valve is also given by h l = loss coefficient is give in Table 2

V 2
2g

, where the

Table 2 Loss Coefficients in Valves K Factor Open Open Open Open Gate Vv 0.2 0.9 5 24 Globe Vv 10 11 12.5 50

The readings for the valves involve differential U tube mercury manometers. Review this theory in order that you understand the equation for the pressure differential

Procedure For the Blue Circuit

Start up the pump on the hydraulic bench with the supply valve closed

Ensure the globe valve is fully closed and the gate valve is fully open.

Open the hydraulic bench supply valve fully and obtain maximum flow through the Blue Circuit.

Record the readings on the piezometer tubes and mercury manometers.

Collect a sufficient quantity of water in the weighing tank to ensure that the weighing takes place over a minimum period for 60 seconds. (Suggested 30 kg).

For the Red Circuit

Before switching off the pump close both the globe valve and the gate valve. This procedure prevents air gaining access to the system and so saves time in subsequent setting up.

Close the gate valve, open the globe valve fully and repeat the experimental procedure that was given for the Blue Circuit.

Results and Circuit Data Pipe Internal Diameter 17.0 mm 35.7mm Distance between pressure tappings (straight pipe) Bend Radii Sharp 90 Degree mitre Proprietary Elbow 90 Degree Smooth 90 Degree bend Smooth 90 Degree Bend Smooth 90 Degree Bend 0mm 19mm 50mm 100mm 150mm 925mm

Diameters Expansion Contraction 17/35.7mm 35.7/17mm

The readings taken for each type of bend includes a length of straight pipe. Thus the losses across the bend only, may be accurately determined by deducting the head loss for section length of straight pipe included in the piezometer readings for each flow rate. Hence initially determine the friction factor for the straight section of pipe from the head loss equation. The straight length equivalent, measured for each fitting: Mitre elbow Proprietary Bend 50 mm bend 100mm bend 150mm bend straight length 850mm 915mm 730mm 940mm 900mm 925mm

Blue Circuit results Table In the table record the difference in the manometer readings [mm] Test No Time to collect 30kg [s] Gate Valve STD Elbow 90 deg 90 deg Mitre Straight pipe

1 2 3 4 5

Red Circuit results Table In the table record the difference in the manometer readings [mm] Time to collect 30kg [s] 150 Globe Valve Sudden Exp Sudden Cont mm Radius 100 mm Radius 50 mm Radius

Test No

1 2 3 4 5

Requirements

Draw up a graph similar to Moody diagram and comment on results.

Determine average values of K for each bend and plot against published values shown in theory. Graph calculated and measured values Compare values of K for both valves against values given in theory. Compare the value of the friction factor for each pipe size and compare with published figures.